The Department of Life Sciences discussed a thesis submitted by researcher Tabarak Fawzi Mahdi Mohammed, entitled “The Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity of Tryptanthrin against Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated from Wound and Burn Infections,” under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Rana Mujahid Abdullah Al-Shuwaikh.
The study aimed to investigate the potential of Tryptanthrin, a bioactive alkaloid, as a promising compound for inhibiting the growth and biofilm formation of Acinetobacter baumannii, in response to the growing challenge of bacterial antibiotic resistance, particularly among multidrug-resistant isolates.
The research involved the isolation and identification of Acinetobacter baumannii from cases of wound and burn infections using conventional cultural and microscopic diagnostic methods, with identification confirmed using the VITEK system. The study also included antimicrobial susceptibility testing to determine the multidrug-resistance patterns of the investigated isolates, in addition to assessing their ability to form biofilms.
The research further investigated selected genes associated with biofilm formation and virulence factors, namely bap, OmpA, and CsuE, in order to provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying biofilm formation and the pathogenic potential of the bacterium.
The experimental component of the study focused on evaluating the effect of Tryptanthrin on the growth of Acinetobacter baumannii and assessing its ability to inhibit biofilm formation. The study also examined the effect of Tryptanthrin on the gene expression of the virulence-associated genes bap, OmpA, and CsuE, providing molecular-level insights into the potential of the compound to interfere with bacterial virulence mechanisms.
The significance of the study stems from its focus on one of the major contemporary health and scientific challenges, namely antimicrobial resistance, while exploring bioactive compounds that may contribute to the development of alternative or complementary strategies for controlling pathogenic bacteria and biofilm formation. Biofilms are recognized as an important factor contributing to the persistence of bacterial infections and their increased resistance to treatment.
The study is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, through contributing to efforts to address bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance, as well as SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, by promoting scientific research and innovation in the investigation of bioactive compounds with potential applications in combating antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.
The thesis was discussed before an academic examination committee comprising Prof. Dr. Lama Abdulhadi Zuwain as Chair, Asst. Prof. Dr. Nidal Abdul-Amir Ali as Member, Asst. Prof. Dr. Enas Abdulhadi Hussein as Member, and Prof. Dr. Rana Mujahid Abdullah as Member and Supervisor.
The study reflects the Department of Life Sciences’ commitment to advancing applied research in microbiology, antimicrobial resistance, biofilm biology, and molecular biology, while strengthening the role of scientific research in addressing contemporary health challenges and supporting innovation in the prevention and control of bacterial infections.
